2.11.2014

pinky and the brain

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona

update: WOW y'all thank you so much for the love!! i've been able to check your words as the day went on, via my tiny device, and will holler at everybody properly soon. but i just had to say THANK YOU. for now, back to a glass of bordeaux, and the original post....

The rugster and I lay in bed on Saturday evening, spent. Friday found us at a superb birthday bash till 4am, and the first official (groggy) day of the weekend was filled with the hollering of my overlocker, which is making a TERRIFICALLY harrowing knocking noise in protest of constant use.  Babe, Rob began the pillow talk, you really need to think about accessories for this next outfit.

I sat bolt upright, suddenly energized.  whaaaaaa?  YOU WANT TO TALK ACCESSORIES?! TALK TO ME BABY! TALK DIRTY TO ME!! YOU KNOW WHAT I LIKE!!!

Ahem. Per Rob's supersexy bedtime request, I went with afro for this second Project Sewn challenge: make it pink.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona

However, I went demure on the rest of the accessorizin', because, well. It is, how you say... kinda bright.

The challenge, issued from mistresses Elizabeth and Liz: "from rose, fuchsia, to blush, bubblegum, or neon--think pink!"  Yes. Well. After this second week, there's not much else I can think of, as I took the description quite literally and used every shade of pink I could find. The inside of my brain looks (and at the moment, feels) like cotton candy. Especially since I gave my first flushed attempt walking papers and started the new pink this time last Tuesday, finishing her twenty minutes before I took these photos Sunday.


oona by marcy harriell oonaballoonaoona by marcy harriell oonaballoona
Ever reminisce on your sewing journey and give yourself a pat on the back for all you've accomplished? I do. ALL THE TIME. AND IT ALWAYS BITES ME IN MY FORMIDABLE ASS. In my fledgling year, I was given a birthday subscription to Burda magazine. Minimal instructions, great drafting, I made a hot mess out of most of what I tried, and canceled after twelve months.

oona!  I said to myself. Isn't it wonderful you didn't toss these magazines when you didn't produce gold in that first year! Your skills are many and varied now! You whip through these patterns! You choose petite sizing, you add the correct seam allowance, you are a MASTER!

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona

I think you know what path I was skipping down. In the limited time I had to sew this week, I ripped the perfectly stitched bodice entirely apart in favor of going smaller, and oh yeah,  I kinda forgot to interface the collar, collar band, and zipper facing.


SO, THAT WAS FUN.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona

I'm glad I wouldn't accept the brainfart as it was and took the time to (re)do it right, because I adore this dress, right down to the guts.  Clockwise from left: 1. contrast cotton brocade facing, 2. the overlocked innards of the dress, 3. magenta horsehair for the hem, blindstitched by hand, and pastel pink crinoline, 4. seams of draped skirt matching up with bodice (squee!!), topstitched in teal buttonhole glace.

Over the weekend, I draped the skirt portion. At first I went with an a-line, but in a shocking turn of events, Rob gave the wider silhouette a thumbs up. He declared it fun. She's 5 pieces, with gathers echoing the bodice gathers on cuff and insets. The crinoline is gathered and attached at the dropped waistline. SO MUCH GATHERING. The bodice zipper extends down into the skirt, as well as the contrast facing (I'll throw afull-lengthh guts shot up if y'all so desire). I was extremely chuffed that the topstitched seams all matched up exactly, but was careful not to pat myself too heavily on the already battered back.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona

Keeping in line with the way my brain works, I used the wrong side of this lurex, bought at Mood Fabrics online-- the cobalt blue pops through in an icier shade on the reverse, heightening the cornucopia of wildly blushing color...wow oona, que fancy description...at least to my brain it does. Confession: I get bored with a project 99% of the time, usually on the home stretch.  This fabric entertained my tetrachromat eyes non stop.  

Alrighty, if the spirit moves you, head on over to the competition and take a gander at my blushing compadres... i swear you'll end up with a cavity, SO MUCH SWEEEEEEET AMAZING...(eta: sadly, the posts from this season are lost to the void of the internet!)

155 comments:

  1. Fun indeed! And exceeding flirty. Curv-a-li-cious. You have knocked it out of the park again. Love, love.

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    1. i am SO glad it came out "flirty" and not "fukate". i knew i liked it but i was on the fence about the eye of the beholder!

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  2. OMG! Gorgeous! You and House of Pinheiro completely smashed it this week but hey, my vote goes for the girl with the formidable ass :)

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  3. That fabric!!! Those gathers!!! Seriously seriously skilled.

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  4. i love how you always amaze me! have that very burda magazine, and have seen that particular pattern many times, never gave it second look.. and you did such wonders with it, that i want to go to my machine, stop working on that shirt i'm working on today, and totally replicate your entire outfit (would replicate your fabulous afro too, if i only had enough hair to do that hehe.. but seriously, that hair is insane, i loooove it)

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    1. oh sis, please please do it. i know your brain will take you off in an amazing mokosha direction and then one day we can wear them together...i'll tease your hair for you :)

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  5. I adore all of this. So amazing. Excellent work.

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  6. You're like a powderpuff alien overlord.
    In the best possible way :D

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  7. Is it boring that, every time I comment, I say "Lord, this is fantastic"??? But really, it's like a piece of rainbow gum. And the fit is excellent. And I can't believe you can get your hair to do that excellent puff-ball of cuteness. Another hit.

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    1. if it is, then i am exceedingly easy to entertain ;) and i adore the rainbow gum description.

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  8. This is an amazing pink outfit, fabulous job.

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  9. Your brain indeed! I imagine it is full of every texture known to womankind, & contains every color of the rainbow! This dress is beyond awesome.

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    1. ahhhhhh i wish we could all live in the world of my brain. i would be a benevolent and tipsy leader.

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  10. Every time you go to drafting your own thing, you end up with a masterpiece! I adore this dress and the full skirt was the perfect choice.

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    1. amanda, THANK YOU. was thinking of drafting my own thing if i get to the final challenge....eeeeeeeek....

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  11. Your matching up top stitching was the first thing that I noticed! I'm glad you found pink heaven in your second try.! It is so fun, and looks ab fab on your darling, sweetie! Now break out the champs!

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    1. so glad you noticed it, i could not get it to photograph and it took FOREVER!

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  12. She's a thing of beauty! And your eye for pattern and colour is seriously to die for.

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    1. well THANKYA. i think my favorite thing about sewing is picking out fabric!

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  13. It's absolutely gorgeous. And you made it so quickly! You are amazing!

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  14. OOOOOHHH my gosh, I love this dress so much....I don't even know where to begin! The fabric, the cut, the craftmanship, your styling, the photos.....just plain perfection!! You got my vote this week! WOW!

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  15. I had no problem picking my fave again!!! Not just because I like you best either :) I just really like yours the best without a doubt. Its really cute and stands out over the rest. It would be fun to wear and would come out of the closet for sure.

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    1. thank you, yes, this one is coming out to play for sure...probably tomorrow ;)

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  16. I really need that fabric! Where did you get it? Your dress is just beautiful...I'm in awe.

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    1. heya! i've put the link up in the post for you, it's at mood online, $18 a yard and TOTALLY worth it.

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  17. Nobody does it better....Nobody does it quite the way you do! Rockstar.

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  18. you bring it every week. you know I love your style.. I got tones of burda mags waiting to be sewn.. oh cannot have the courage to touch them

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    1. oh now rachel, HACK INTO THOSE JAMMIES. i cannot imagine you having a fear of sewing ANYTHING.

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  19. So pretty! Love everything about this dress. Totally awesome.

    Also, my serger likes to make that banging sound after overuse too. I give it the stinkeye for about 3 days, then break down and change the blades. Usually about once a year, sometimes twice. Yeah, I obsessively use my serger, what can I say.

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    1. ok, this is terrible..... but i'm not even using the blades. I KNOW!!! but my ellie cuts off fabric and then the threads loop too far away from the edge, no matter how i adjust the blade... but i followed your advice and the noise: MAGICALLY GONE. HUZZAH!!!

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  20. I loooooooove this! It's so sassy and fun, and makes pink your own! It seems every six months I go on a "Hmmm, Burdas aren't really that bad" adventure and end up royally f*cking something up. But I never would've guessed that you had any problems making this because it looks perfect!

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    1. i just went on another burda kick and did the EXACT same thing!!! AGAIN. stubborn? me?

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  21. Hot damn, this is ahhhhmaaaaazing! It looks absolutely perfect! I'd never would have thought to use that bodice for a dress, but it worked out so wonderfully. Damn....I want this pattern!

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    1. girl, i highly recommend this pattern. i wonder if they have it on the BS website??

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  22. Absolutely stunning, tremendously awesome, phantasmagorically and lovely!!!!!

    I really cannot take my eyes of this dress and if you lived close by, I would come over and steal it, I jest of course, I would never fit into it, but I adore your fabric selection.
    I am totally in love with your pink contribution and I could only bring myself to vote for you on project sewn, although the others also made some lovely outfits, but you just have to win!!"
    I want and have to see more of your gorgeous creations.
    You and your dress just blew me away.

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    1. WHOAH. well your prose is much appreciated!! i will be on the lookout for you whenever i don it :)

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  23. Super fun!!! And the lining is lovely!

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  24. Simply DELIGHTFUL!! This dress is simply delightful. I have gone over and voted for you again. Besides making a simply delightful dress, you chose the PERFECT 'forgive-able' pink and I would wear it in a flash (forgive-able makes it accepting to a non-pink lover).

    Well done Oona, the craftsmanship on this garment is really Haute Couture and you are such a delight!

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    1. ha yes, pink really stumped me, you don't realize how little it's worn till you're challenged to make a garment from it! thank you so much, i really appreciate it-- i wanted the guts to be good.

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  25. Gorgeous work again! I love the skirt shape you chose with that bodice. And I am determined to do a fun undercollar now that I've seen yours.

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    1. oh yes do it. i totally went the "wrong" way with the contrast fabric but when i laid it all out, it was just too much fun to have the whole undercollar as a shocker.

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  26. This dress and the fabric are stunning. Love it!

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  27. This dress is AMAZING! You're after my own heart with these bright and fun colors! I wish I had your mad skills! I'm heading over to vote for you! :)

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  28. ....Oona wins the gold, or in this case, pink! What a dreamy dress! Really! It's all kinds of gorgeous! I love the attention to detail, and would love to see the innards. Yep, after your marathon week, you've definitely earned gold!

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    1. HAHAH! i likes it. okay, guts shot coming up, grab a pair of sunglasses...

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  29. oooh - pinky and the brain! In this dress you really can try and take over the world!

    Are you pondering what I'm pondering? :)

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  30. This is so so so so so awesome! I love the fabric and how it looks so modern with the front zip! x

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    1. thankya! the front zip was one of the major attractions for me. like a theme park....

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  31. OMG, YES!!!! This is utterly FABULOUS! The fabric? She is fantastic! The afro? Amazing. The ensemble? Damn it, woman, you are on FIRE!! Pinkity pink FIRE!!

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  32. I'm starting this comment with a high five at title selection! My dad and I refer to each other as Pinki (with an i and not a y) and the Brain. We conquer the world together.

    Now onto this dress... in a fit of panic and less than one week before the deadline, you turned to something that had failed you in the past. Unlike before, you succeeded. I can never doubt you.

    I also can't help but call out your techniques. Marce, you're growing into one very talented seamstress. I might have to refer to you as Couturier Oona, ruler of crinoline, horsehair, and afros :)

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    1. my love for your awesome relationship with your pops only continues to grow....

      well now. i don't know that i could accept the title, but house of oona does have a ring to it....

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  33. This is fabulous on about 40 levels. I absolutely adore the silhouette, and that fabric. THAT. FABRIC. And you know how I feel about afros. GO BIG OR GO HOME. Also, next time I come to NY, I gotta meet this Ruggy. He sounds like a dream (but only if he's finished the bathroom). xoxo

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    1. at this point...drumroll please...RUGGY HAS FINISHED THE BATHROOM! well, everything he can finish. Delusional Friend that started this insanity has lost the custom made pieces that will complete the process.

      you wear your georgia when you come, ok?

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  34. Now generally I'm not one to use the language of the youth...but this is AMAZEBALLS! Huzzah!

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    1. haaaaaaaaa! that's one that took me a minute as well. now, LOL, i just can't seem to accept that one...

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  35. I absolutely bloody love this dress! This is a dress that would make me break my self imposed shopping ban if I saw it in a shop...
    For the second week in a row, you have my vote :-)

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    1. i just got a little giddy picturing this dress in an oona boutique :)

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  36. I love this. The fabric, the little sleeves, and the length of bodice. Beautiful!

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  37. I have no words for this! It's too gorgeous!

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  38. Oh GIRL! This is absolutely perfect. Every detail.

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  39. Oh Oona....this dress is BEAUTIFUL!!! I want three of them!! Like I told Ms. Rachel...it's going to be a hat pick between the two of you and I may still shed pink tears because I want to pick you both!

    GORGEOUS!!

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    1. i feel ya, i gasped out loud over rachel's look and ran right over to ruggy to show him. GORGEOUS.

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  40. ruggy really knows how to charm a lady, no? i think the only thing sexier would have been, "babe, i finished the bathroom!"

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    1. HA! i have really put that banner on him, haven't i? he has indeed finished his work, unfortch we now rely on the machinations of our...let's say *busy* friend.

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  41. I love love love this dress. The fabric is to die for. And your afro is so on point.

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    1. i spent about 15 minutes getting the shape right, if only the dress could've gone as quickly :)

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  42. I LOVE the dress! It has to be one of my favourites of yours that I've seen! Please wear it everyday for a week.

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    1. i just might. we'll see if polyester likes a week's worth of wear, come hell or high water. i will say it's definitely suited to winter!

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  43. My favourite thing you've ever sewn (except for that amazing print maxi dress, oh and that va va voom low cut back teal dresss....oh, who am I kidding? I LOVE everything you sew! This is fabulous!!)

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    1. hahahaha debi! your thoughts are making me ponder my signature style....that one is stumping me a little...

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  44. *screamssssss* omg I love your fro!! Dress looks the bomb too!

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  45. I love this dress but i wish i had your hair!

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    1. it was a long time before i loved my hair, believe me. she's a BEAST.

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  46. I am so in love with this dress!! The fabric is *fabulous* - talk about a killer Valentine's look. Bam!

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  47. You've got another winner there. Love the fro too!

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    1. thank you faye! and i'm wearing the fro out more and more...

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  48. Brilliant! Love the dress, love the hair, love you!

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  49. My jaw is still slack. Amazing dress! I adore the shape.

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  50. I think you're in the wrong field, dude.

    Clearly, CLEARLY, you belong in fashion!!! This is a fucking masterpiece and the use of the "wrong" side is inspired, truly!

    Also, you know I love the hairs!! BIG HAIR TWIN POWERS, ACTIVATE!!

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    1. heheheh. the thought has crossed my mind.

      next time we meet, as big as we both can get. let's see if we can fit into an instagram together.

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  51. i love that you went with such a different silhouette! how you have made a low waist and pouffy skirt work together is beyond me, but i love it. fantastic work again!

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    1. it boggled my mind as well! once ruggy called it good i shrugged my shoulders and stitched :)

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  52. I haz voted for your pink make.
    jackie

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  53. I am so, so, so in love with this dress!

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  54. I just LOVE this! Perfect marriage of fabric and style. It's really gorgeous .. and the fabric is TDF. What a great job you did .. congrats! It's just made for (and of course by) you ;), .will be a wardrobe staple.

    ~Joy~

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  55. This is so gorgeous and yes I voted, so now give me some direction on beginning a blog. My Oona and her gin have inspired me to begin Mama Minion Made! I have seven little "minions" and the best most accurate name my family could come up with was Mama Minion Made! I'm game but I don't want to start out with a sucky ass blog. You're my hero...your inspiration and guidance would be so helpful blogwise as well as branding/sewing wise!

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    1. well first of all, your family came up with the perfect name...if you like the look of my blog, i used the "simple" blogger template, and then just started messing around with the widths for the posts & sidebar. really i just push buttons until i like what i see. and i do love a good wide header, it's like the welcome mat for your blog. you gotta dive in and just go for it, and lemme know when you do!

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  56. If I lived in NY, you'd have to watch out, because hot damn lady you've done it again! Yet another superawesomefabulous creation that I so desperately want to steal from you! Or at least borrow. And wear out for the night. And pretend it's mine because it is just so friggin awesome!!!

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  57. OMG this dress is AMAZING! That bodice suits that fabric perfectly. Inspired, I've voted for you and will possibly stealing this idea...

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  58. I think you got it in the bag for a second week ;)

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  59. Lovelylovelylovely! Also, wantwantwant!

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  60. Sheesh. I don't think there are any positive adjectives left in the dictionary. Soooo...yeah. What they said. =)

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  61. You've done it again girl, your outfit is awesome.

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  62. LOOOOOVE! The fabric is amazing and the pattern a great mix between cute and modern.

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  63. THISSSSSS!!!!!!!! this is absolutely gorgeous. NEED this fabric. Need this dress. I cannot stop voting for you... Might have to come back here later and ogle this dress some more

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    1. YOU CAN HAZ THE FABRIC! link is up in the post....this stuff is so much fun to sew, i want everyone to try it!

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  64. OMG this dress is AMAZING! I'm so impressed! I love how structural and bright it is. =)

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  65. WOW---wrong side of the lurex and it looks so amazing! Hot hot hot!!!! You got my vote lady.

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  66. It's wonderful. I love the pink crinoline... and I like that you used the wrong side. It's definitely more Oona-esque, even though Marmota would probably go for the right side... but that's precisely what I love about it.
    (To be completely truthful, Marmota would avoid that fabric, because it's polyester, and go for a natural fibre solid. Marmota is predictable, which is one of the many reasons why it's Oona competing on Project Sewn, not Marmota.)

    Congratulations on beating Burda, too, even if you got a bit beaten in the process yourself. I love that you took a blouse and turned it into a dress. Plus, with the gathers in the top, I think Ruggy's instinct was correct: the full skirt looks good.

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    1. you. crack. me. UP. and i think you're right bout the gathers, the straight skirt just looked unbalanced and that's exactly why.

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  67. Golly Gosh! I love it. J'adore!

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  68. Okay as soon as I caught sight of that purdy pink crinoline I just about DIED!! You nailed it!

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  69. Alright - you did an exceptional job on this one. I appreciate the pink crinoline....did you note where that came from...Mood's or stash?

    Alright - enough with the sewing. I'll review and vote...yadda, yadda, yadda. I want to discuss the F-R-OOOO!!!!! WOW!!! It's the Bomb! {:-O

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  70. I'm sorry I'm so late in giving you a little pink love over here! What a week! You did it again lady! Great, dress and that particular shade of pink is doing all sorts of things for your lovely complexion. The whole get up is killer.

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  71. this is amazing. you are amazing. your hair is amazing, i'm experiencing astronomical levels of fro-envy!!

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  72. Simply LOVELY dress Marci! I really like the princess seamed bodice and the pink is spectacular. You managed to take pink and somehow make it disco funky! Love that. And, your fro is too fabulous in this photo shoot, I can barely stand it!

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  73. ooooh, you rock that sci-fi princess of a forbidding alien world dress!

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  74. amazing!
    I'm in love with the neck!

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  75. You definitely had my vote this week! While I loved all the other pinky-ness, there was something so perfect about this dress that I fell in love with - the fit is awesome, the style lines are cheeky, and that little bit of shine in the fabric just won me over - beauty job, girl - also, love the Afro accessorizing!!!!!

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  76. I love this dress! It fits you so well! Beautiful!

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  77. Wow!! Love the brocade. Beautiful!!

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!